A CRIMINOLOGIST has warned that plans by pro-hunting supporters to resist a law banning the sport, currently going through Parliament, could lead to rural police forces being stretched to the limit.

Trevor Jones, of Cardiff University stopped short of comparing a possible conflict between protesters and police with those during the miners' strike, because that was a "radical, ideological battle" against the Thatcher Government, he said. Meanwhile, the Countryside Alliance confirmed last night that if hunting was stopped it would adopt a political philosophy which was used by black civil rights campaigners in the United States in the 1960s.

More than 40,000 people in the UK have signed a declaration saying they will continue hunting even if its banned. In Wales, more than 3,000 people have so far signed a declaration pledging to continue hunting illegally if Parliament moves to ban it.

Mr Jones said, "There could be quite a conflict if pro-hunting supporters decide to carry on hunting. Rural forces are not used to this sort of civil disobedience and conceivably could be stretched to the limit if trouble starts."

Mark Hinge, political director of the CA in Wales, said hunters would break the law if legislation banning hunting was passed. "We intend to adopt a political philosophy used by black civil rights campaigners in America in the 1960s - they used it to great effect," he said. "It means that we will continue to hunt once a law has been passed and then willingly give ourselves up to face trial and punishment."